The recent Susan G. Komen v. Planned Parenthood debacle got me thinking about the whole issue of pro-choice and pro-life all over again. Like many unapologetic pro-choicers, I have a deep-seated loathing of the term “pro-life.” Because my belief opposes theirs, does that make me “anti-life” or maybe “pro-death”? Yes, I’m pro-choice, but to me, […]
What is it about marriage—an institution that was originally a means of transferring wealth along with domestic and reproductive services horizontally within society and vertically in a family—that we still fetishize so much? A lot of people, grandmas and older aunts and uncles notwithstanding, will tell you that marriage is the ultimate goal. You know […]
I recently found out one of my best childhood friends is having a baby. I’m getting ridiculously excited about meeting this kid and getting to be an “auntie.” I’m also starting to wonder what this child (whose sex is still unknown) will be like, what she will play with, what toys I will bring back […]
I have to confess: I’m not a big boxing fan. My knowledge of the sport amounts to one full match I saw on TV and amazement over the fact that my Mom used to practice it as a kid. I was basically of the opinion that because I’m not a fan of huge gloves and […]
The Republican primaries are in full swing and the whole world is watching. After all, whoever is elected to retain or take up residence in the White House is an important issue for us non-U.S. folks as well. Looking back to three years ago I don’t think many would have predicted that Herman Cain would […]
Last week Nicole Rodgers wrote a great piece on stay-at-home dads. Although the idea of a stay-at-home parent is nothing exceptional, if the primary caretaker is a father, you can almost hear the sound of societal norms shaking and cracking. We hold a deeply ingrained belief that mothers are natural caregivers – they gestate the […]
Maggie had a short, blond bob haircut, a round face and light-blue eyes. She was just what you’d expect a cute 12 year old to be. Except she had breasts – not just protruding nipples she decently hid in an over-sized t-shirt, but actual breasts that merited a real ‘grown-up’ bra. She was the first […]
My grandma adores my husband to the point where she’ll call ask how I am, interrupt me mid-sentence, and request I pass the phone to her ‘new grandson’. Between the two of us, he’s definitely higher on her favourites list right now. (Meanwhile, I’m quietly hoping the novelty of a ‘grandson’ will wear off and […]
(Disclaimer: This post is about my feeling towards white gowns and traditional weddings. It is not my intention to judge anybody else’s decision about what they get married in and how they do it. I’ve actually been to half a dozen of traditional weddings I utterly enjoyed and adored the brides involved). I first stopped […]
Scene 1 Who: One of my best female friends and me– we’ve known each other for since we were kids. Where: A café in central Warsaw. What: I mention the word ‘naked’ in a conversation. A few minutes later, she asks if we could leave and go for a walk. It’s a cold December evening […]
